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Sarah Newton Gives Thanks to Brave Recovery Teams

This afternoon, Sarah Newton MP for Truro and Falmouth, visited recovery crews to share her thanks and congratulations to the teams following the successful rescue of the Kuzma Minin cargo ship that became grounded off Gyllyngvase beach in Falmouth on 18th December 2018.

Sarah Newton, MP for Truro and Falmouth commented: "I was pleased to visit the responding teams including Falmouth Harbour Commissioners and A&P Falmouth who were the driving forces in the rescue of the 'Kuzma Minin' cargo ship before Christmas. Their bravery prevented a much more serious situation from occurring on one of Falmouth's most popular beaches – and it was a recovery operation of which Cornwall is very proud.”

Carrie Gilmore Chair of Falmouth Harbour Commissioners said: “It is part of our role as a harbour authority to prepare and maintain emergency response plans in collaboration with a wide range of other agencies including our emergency services and local authority. This incident demonstrates the importance of preparing and exercising those plans and it is a testament to the professionalism of these agencies that such an effective response was delivered in such a short time.”

Nigel Fearn, Senior Marine Operations Manager for the Falmouth Docks and Engineering Company also commented: “Despite the very testing and tricky conditions, the FDEC team delivered a very impressive, swift and professional response and we are exceptionally proud of their efforts. From the Coast Guard’s initial response, we had three harbour tugs on stand-by and worked as part of a combined emergency response team with the Falmouth Harbour Commissioners and the Marine Coast Guard Agency (MCA). We are also grateful to Fowey Harbour Commissioners, who provided a fourth tug in time to support the extraction of the stricken vessel.”

“This result was achieved thanks to the quick-thinking and expertise of the tug crews and the strength of cooperation between all parties and we commend all those involved with delivering such a positive outcome. The ministerial recognition of the efforts made by the towage teams is well deserved and very much appreciated.”

The 180 metre Russian Bulk Carrier became grounded at 0540 on 18th December 2018 and a successful recovery operation drawing on multiple agencies allowed the ship to be refloated nine hours later